City administrator resigns after ‘heated discussion’ with councilman

LAUREL — Laurel administrator Dennis Keveryn has resigned in aftermath of a verbal altercation with Ward 7 Councilman Trey Chinn during a council work session.

Keveryn’s resignation was effective Friday.

Keveryn told the Hattiesburg American that the “heated discussion” led to a week’s suspension without pay from Mayor Melvin Mack.

Keveryn, who had spent the past 3 1/2 years as city administrator, resigned rather than accept the punishment.

Mack, who had asked Keveryn in 2009 to return to the post he had held for five years under former mayor Susan Vincent, said in a statement that he was “saddened by the whole matter.”

Both said the resignation was Keveryn’s decision.